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Have you ever tried to imagine how the Edda by Snorri might have sounded if it had been set to music? Well, this wonderful album is the answer. In fact, this album is the Edda in music.
For those who don't know, the Prose Edda is a text dating back to the 13th century, written by Icelandic scholar Snorri Sturluson as a manual for the skalds (from Old Norse skald, poet), containing the summary of pre-Christian Norse mythology. The Einherjer have drawn from this masterpiece of Nordic literature to bring "Odin Owns Ye All" to life. Those who discovered Einherjer through their first album, "Dragons Of The North," will find noticeable differences here. First of all, the singer: the hoarse voice of Rune Bjelland has been replaced by the more versatile one of Ragnar Vikse. But it is the music overall that has changed: the original viking sound has transformed into an even more (if possible) epic sound. In short, to tackle a subject like this, it was necessary to adapt the music to the tone of the narration. And that's exactly what captivates when listening to the album: the majesty and epicness that describe the origin, evolution, destruction, and rebirth of the world according to the Vikings.
The making of such an album was written in the name of the Einherjer themselves, a name that in Norse mythology refers to those fallen in battle who reside in Valhalla ("Hall of the Chosen") awaiting the final battle that will occur at the end of the world. After a brief instrumental intro, the journey begins right from the start: "Out Of Ginnungagap" indeed tells of the creation of everything that exists from the nothingness of the great primordial abyss Ginnungagap ("Yawning Abyss"), and "Clash Of The Elder" reminds us of the clash between giants at the dawn of time. "Odin Owns Ye All" is a true anthem to the power and wisdom of Odin, the Allfather, father of gods and men. Then come the other tracks, narrating divine events, battles, the fate of men after death, in a crescendo of pathos as the tragic final epilogue, Ragnarok ("Twilight of the Gods"), approaches, followed by the rebirth of a new world and a new generation of men ("A New Earth"). All this without any drop in tone or missteps, proving the commitment, even at the level of lyrics, that this Norwegian band has devoted to creating this album.
"Odin Owns Ye All" is thus an album that can be listened to from beginning to end without tiring or boring, which combines the typical epic nature of viking with purely folk elements creating a gem that cannot be missing from the collection of genre enthusiasts. Certainly, the black roots are hard to trace here, but for once they have willingly given way to more suitable expressive means for such a "noble" topic. In conclusion, there's only one last thing to remind you: Odin Owns Ye All!
ps: some parts of the album are better enjoyed while holding a nice mug full of beer (or mead), perhaps clinking it with that of your companion nearby.
- Leve Vikinngeaanden
- Out Of Ginnungagap
- Clash Of The Elder
- Odin Owns Ye All
- Remember Tokk
- Home
- The Pathfinder & The Prophetess
- Inferno
- A New Earth
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
04 Odin Owns Ye All (04:34)
I sit by the fires gleam all by myself
Four empty chairs & one've been kept warm
I drink to my kinsmen who sails now with Njord
I drink to my kin who'll drink here no more
Odin owns ye all
I sing to them songs I wish their best on their way
I'm sure a valkyrie found them in the battle that day
I drink to my kinsmen who fought bravely at sea
I drink to my kin who'll be missed not just by me
Odin owns ye all
To arms To arms - The kinsmen said
They've chosen to meet us in battle today
Fight Fight - The kinsmen said
If we show true norse courage they'll soon run away
Wrong Wrong - The kinsmen thought
You cowards are fourty men may you rot in Hel
Rise Rise - The valkyries said
Odin decided this day you would die
I drink to my kinsmen
Who sails now with Njord
I drink to my kin
Who'll drink here no more
I drink to my kinsmen
Who fought bravely at sea
I drink to my kin
Who'll be missed not just by me
Odin owns ye all
06 Home (07:16)
Across the brigde of colours born
Of fire water and air
Dressed in crimson armours
In hand are bloodwet spears
Reach the entrance heavens gate
Honoured by the brave
See the hall with golden roof
The home allfather gave
Welcome to the hall of death
Great Odin we hail him
Come in, enjoy the glorious afterlife, my friend
Here we fill the ranks of Tyr
Battle is our way
Every morning day and night till the winter fiercest come
Cattle die
All men are mortal
But word-fame never dies
Nor a noble name
Kinsmen die
All men are mortal
But one thing never dies
The glory of the great dead
Enough of tears, enough of wail!
Not to lament in was Valhalla made
The wind as fresh as the air is clear
The greatest of men are here
All einherjer in Odin's court
Fare to fight each day
Select the slain, then leave the battle
Sit after at peace in the hall.
Welcome to the hall of death
Great Odin we hail him
Come in, enjoy the glorious afterlife, my friend
Here we fill the ranks of Tyr
Battle is our way
Every morning day and night till the winter fiercest come
Cattle die
All men are mortal
But word-fame never dies
Nor a noble name
Kinsmen die
All men are mortal
But one thing never dies
The glory of the great dead
09 A New Earth (06:51)
She sees arise
A second time
Earth from the sea
Dressed evergreen
Fairier than all
Waterfalls flow
As from a dream
For us it still is
Once again strangely wonderful
Golden chessmen be found again
On the ground where brave men fought
Owned by Gods a long time ago
Future will meet
The present and past
Speak of winters
The first and the last
Tales of what's been
And what to come
In remembrance of Odin
And the runes of the past
Once again strangely wonderful
Golden chessmen be found again
On the ground where brave men fought
Owned by Gods a long time ago
She sees a hall
Fairier than the sun
Thatched with gold
For trust to dwell
There shall innocence
Forever live
A life of joy
Until the dragon reappears
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